Gluing press



Dec. 21, 1943. E. J. KLA'SSEN GLUING PRESS 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Aug. 17, 1942 INVENTOR. fan Alec d JQZASSE/V,

ATTORN S.

Dec. 21, 1943. E. J. KLASSEN GLUING PRESS Filed Aug. 17, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR JKZAsss Dec. 21, 1943.

E. J KLASSEN GLUING PRESS Filed .-ug. 17, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. fibmwo rZ'KM 32w, 51 BY 4 4 Q TTORNEYS.

Patented Dec. 21, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GLUING muss Edward J. Klassen, Los Angeles, Calif. Application August 17, 1942, Serial No. 4 55,osz

20 Claims. (c1. 144-281) This invention relates generally topresses for applying pressure and heat to members which are being glued together to expedite setting of the glue. J\

The invention has particular present application to the gluing of plywood skins on a wood construction airfoil, and will, for illustrative purposes only, be described in that connection, though without necessary limitation thereto since it has various other applications. The glue now used for such purposes is of a phenolic plastic type, whose setting time is greatly reduced in the presence of heat, and it accordingly becomes desirable to apply heat to the exterior surface of the plywood after the latter has been applied to the glue coated skeleton frame of the airfoil.- As in any gluing operation, it is also desirable to apply pressure, and it is therefore the combined purpose to apply both heat and pressure to the glued members.

The general object of the, present invention is,

accordingly the provision of an improved press designed to operate on such a typical member as an airfoil and to apply both pressure and heat to the portions of the plywood skin that are in engagement with and have been glued to the skin supporting surfaces of the airfoil framework. i

Considered broadly, the present invention provides a heating means which is applicable to the plywood skin that has just been glued over the skeleton frame work, a flexible curtain which overlies said heating means, and a pneumatic means such asan inflatable bag which exerts a pressure through the flexible curtain against the heating means, and so presses the latter evenly against the plywood skin. The flexible curtain and heating means are designed to accommodate themselves readily to the shape of the airfoil,

or other member being glued, permitting the application of uniform pressure to the heating means, and uniform application of the heating means to -the skin.

With this general discussion in mind, the invention will best be described in'connection with the following detailed description of one present illustrative embodiment thereof, reference for this purpose being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

, to omit illustration of the'taper of the table and airfoil;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken in accordance with line 1-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a detail section on line 4--4 of Fig. 1, but with the press assumed to; be in closed position;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail of parts enclosed withinthe circle 5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a section on'line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a detail section on line 1-1 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a section on line 8-8 of Fig. 7; 1

Fig. 9 is a section on line 9-9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a section taken on line Iii-i of Fig.9;

Fig. 11 is a section in the same plane as Fig. 10 but showing the intersection of the steam bar 52 that is over the spar with the end transverse steam bar Fig. 12 is a section in the same plane as Fig,

' but showing the parts at an outside corner Fig. 2; and

Fig. .14' is a section similar to Fig. 13 but showing a modification.

Referring now to the drawings, I show at 20 a suitable supporting table or bench having a plane, horizontal upper surface 2 I, and furnished with suitable legs 22. This table is provided with a hinged cover member 23, shaped on its under side to conform to the contour of the wooden skeleton frame S of the airfoil, which is to be taken by the press.

Airfoil skeleton frame S may comprise typically, a plurality of longitudinally spaced transverse webs 24, a longitudinally extending nose block 25, a longitudinally extending central spar 26,

and a trailing edge-piece 21. In the usual construction, the nose block, spar -and trailing edge piece consist of continuous one-piece members extending the length of the airfoil, while the transverse webs 24 each consist of two members interrupted by the spar. In accordance with the construction here illustrated, the webs 24, which are relatively thin, are braced along their upper andlower marginal edges with cap strips 21 .(Figs. 2, 8 and 9). The particular airfoil here chosen for illustrative purposes has a plane or fiat bottom surface and a curved upper surface, as illustrated in Fig. 2, although the particular shape of the airfoil is of course not limitative on the invention, it beingunderstood that the presswill be built to conformin any given in-. stance. Numerals 30 and 3| designate the upper and lower plywood skins which have been applied to the upper and lower sides of the skeleton Arranged on the upper surface 2| of table 20, in a lay-out conforming to the various members making up the-skeleton frame S, is a lower grid-work 35 of heat conductive metal embodying a plurality of longitudinal bars 36 and transverse bars 31, which include or incorporate a heating agency, of any suitable or desired type. As here illustratively shown, this heating agency consists of steam passages running longitudinally of the grid-work bars, as more fully to be described presently. As will be understood, th se bars 36 and 37 of the grid-work are so arranged as to engage the lower plywood skin 3| directly 'beneath the under surfaces of skeleton frame members 25, 26, 2?, and 24, the skin spanning between the bars of the grid-work between said members.

attached to the rearward longitudinal edge of table 20. as at 40, is a flexible sheet 4|, preferably formed of highly heat conducting sheet metal, which is stretched tightly over the top side of the airfoil so as to support it firmly in position. and is detachably fastened at the front edge of th table' In the present illustrative form of the invention, the table is provided at its front longitudinal edge with an inclined face 42. formed at such an angle that the sheet 45 pulled down taut over the airfoil will lie substantially fiat against it. In somewhat similar manner, the table is preferably formed adjacent its rearward edge with a somewhat elevated portion topped by an inclined face 43, forming a substantial continuation of the airfoil, and

against which the sheet 4| may lie substantially fiat. The front longitudinal edge of the sheet 4| is wrapped around and fastened in any suitable manner to a longitudinal edge piece 45, which carries studs 46 detachably engageable by the eyes 4'! of a suitable clamp device 48 secured to the table and operable to stretch the sheet 4| taut over the airfoil. The clamp devices 48 may be of anywell known or appropriate type adapted to perform the function described, though I have here indicated an eccentric type of clamp by which the tension exerted on the sheet may beadjusted. Thus each clamp-device 48 embodies a, plate 48a formed with the aforementioned eye 41, a circular strap 48b carried by plate 48a and surrounding an eccentric 48c and a shaft 48d on which the eccentric is tightly mounted, and which is itself pivotally mounted in a bracket 48c affixed to the table, the shaft being fitted with an operating handle 48f by means of which the eccentric may be rotated to draw the plate 48a downwardly and thereby tense the sheet 4|.

Applicable to skeleton framework S, over the stretched sheet 4|, is an upper grid-work 50 of heat conducting metal. embodying parallellongitudinal bars 5| and transverse bars 52, all generally similarto the lower gridwork 35, excepting that the upper gridwork is formed to conform to the top side curvatureof the airfoil. Thus the bars 5| and 5101 gridwork 50 are so arranged as to conform to the upper surface of the plywood skin 30 applied over skeleton frame members 25, 26, 21 and 24, and to engage flexible sheet 4| directly over said members, the sheet 4| and plywood skin spanning between said members. Upper gridwork 50 is preferably, though not necessarily, carried by a flexible curtain 55 which extends over it, and which is in turn carried by cover 23. This curtain 55 preferably comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending, articulated wood strips or slats 56 mounted, as by means of adhesive, or any suitable fastening means, on the lower surface of a flexible fabric sheet 5?. The strips are preferably substantially rectangular in cross-sec but with their sides tapered, where the c" is curved, so as to be radial of th center of curvature. These strips are mo nted on meat 57 with sufflcient clearance between them to permit th strips to more .Eat-ively to one another whe eby the curtain may conform to the exact contour of the airfoil.

The curtain 55 is carried by the aforementirned pivoted cover 23, which wilE now be de- .mibed in more detail. This cover comprises a large metal casting, shaped in general conour to conform to the shape of the top side of the airfoil, and formed at the rear with downward projections 68 through which it is pivotaily mounted, as at 5|, on mountings 62 secured to the rearward side. of the table. Freferably, these downward projections 50 have rearward extensions 63 carrying counterweights 54 for the cover.

In the particular embodiment of the invention here shown for iilustration, the cover has front and rear walls 66 and 61', end walls, one of which,

designated at 68,, is removable (see Fig. 1), an

upper wall 89, and wall it spaced a short distance below the latter. Removable end wall 68 is here shown as formed with end flanges 68a bolted to ears 68b extending from the sides of the cover. The side and end walls of the cover are formed with marginal inturned flanges H at their edges (Figs. 2, 8 and 12) the front and rear end strips 561: of curtain 55 having projections 56!) which overlie the flanges 7| extending from the side walls of the cover, and the ends of the strips 56 being notched on the underside, as at 56b, so as to overlie the flanges ll formed on the end walls of the cover (Fig. 4), the parts preferably being so dimensioned that the lower face of the flexible curtain comprising the strips and covers the upper surface of curtain 55, being preferably attached to a strip 56 of the curtain; thus, Fig. 8 shows the plate '12, to be attached, as by screws 13, to the strip 55 of the curtain which is over the spar 28 of frame S. This method of attachment permits the plate," and curtain 55 to bend together and conform to one another. Mounted inside. cover 23, adjacent its side and end' walls, and below partition 10,-is a rectangular frame comprising a top member "14 and bottom member 15, sultablyfastened to one another, as by screws or the like, the members 1 of said frame adjacent side walls 63 and 01 be- I ing preferably fastened to said walls, as by screws 15a (Fig. 13). Clamped between themembers I4 and I5 are the edges of a flexible fabric wall 11 tively to curtain 55, as shown in Fig. 8, with the members I00, I02 and I03 defining th closed steam passageway P. I prefer that the studs I04 carrying the steam bar that extends over spar which lies adjacent the upper surface of curtain 5 26 be closely fitted by the corresponding stud 55 (Fig. 13). An inflatable pneumatic bag I8, of rubber, rubberized fabric, or other suitable material, is placed between the fabric wall 11 and the wall I of cover 23. This bag I8 has a filling tube or stem I3 extending through end plate 63 of cover 23 and will be understood to contain a suitable check valve, like a conventional tire valve. The flexible sheet metal plate I2 and flexible fabric wall 11 protect the lower wall of the bag. 4

As previously stated, the bars 36, 31, and 52 of lower and upper grid-works 35 and 50 are'provided with heating means or provisions, which in the specific embodiment of my invention .here chosen for illustrativepurposes comprise longitudinal steam passages. Fig. 6 is a typical crosssection of one of bars of the lower grid-work,

and shows the bar, in this instance a lower bar 31, to consist of a base plate 90 secured to the upper side of table 20, transversely spaced side bars or members 9|, and a cover plate 92. The

several described members define a steam passageway P. Fig. 5shows-a typical cornerconstruction, and illustrates how the several members making up each bar are arranged in abutting relation to provide a continuous steam passageway P extending around the corner formed by the two abutting bars 36 and 31.

Figs. 5 and 6 also show a steam discharge port- 95, of which there are a suitable number, leading from passageway P outwardly through the outside side member 9| of the bar.

Fig. 8 shows a cross-section of a steam bar 5|- of the upper heating grid-work, it being understood that bars 5| and 52 are of similar crosssection,ar1d shows how said bar may be carried by flexible curtain 55. It may be noted at this -point that it is not at all Essential that the upper heating grid-workbe carried by curtain.

Bar 5| also includes a pair of transverselyholes I0la, but that the studs I04 carrying the remaining steam bars be loosely fitted within the corresponding stud holes I04b'.'so as to provide a certain looseness of fit such as will permit some accommodation of the members. 7

Fig. 11 shows the intersection between the longitudinal upper steam bar 5| that overlies the spar and the end transverse upper steam bar 52.

1n Figs. v9 and 10 is shown an intersection of an upper longitudinal steam bar 5| and an upper transverse steam bar 52 at the location of the intersection of spar 26 with a transverse web 24, where the members form a complete cross. Here the two side members I02 of the trans- ,Verse bar 52 Blre formed with gaps II 6, the end portions of the latter members I02 being received within the gaps II 5, all as clearly shown in- Fig. 10. The clearance spaces between the adjacent end portions of the several members I02 are then closed by means of curved spring elements II'E, of the type previously described (Fig. 10).

Steam'is introduced to the steam passageways P of the upper and lowergrid-works of the press through any suitable steam connections. I here show a steam supplypipe I20 having a control spaced side bars or members|02 and a cover when the plate I03 is not being-pressed dow'nwardly against the airfoil, said plate I03 together with the side members I02 are suspended by'the studswhose heads I05 are then inengagement with the upper surface ofplate I00, with some slight looseness or clearance between the member I02 and the underside of plate I00. However, when plate I03 is in engagement with the airfoil, or rather, with the flexible sheet II valve |2| (Fig. 1) andprovided with a I -coupling I22, one branch of which is coupled to an inlet conduit I23 opening through a side member I02 of the end transverse steam bar of the lower gridwork intosteam passageway P. (Fig, 3.) The other branch of coupling I22 is connected via flexible steam conduit I24 to an inlet conduit I25 opening through side member I02 of the end transverse steam bar of the upper grid-work into the steam passageway. therewithin.

Cover 23 is furnished with a handle I30 by means of, which .it may be manually raised and lowered, and with eyes I3I supporting the upper ends of links I32, the lower ends of which are screw-threaded to receive clamp nuts I33, above which are washers I 34. The front edge of the table has notched brackets I35 which receive the links I32 when the coveris lowered, and the cover may be clamped down tightly by thereafter setting up nuts I33 against the undersides of the brackets. Of course, any other type of clamping device may be substituted for the simple arrangein. proper alignment on lower heating grid-work 35'. Flexible sheet 4| is then stretchedover the top side of the airfoil and clamped in place, therestretched over the airfoil, and downward pres-.

sure is exerted on'curtain 55 fromabove, in a manner later to be described, the plate 'I03,-

relaby securing the airfoil in position and pressing it down firmly on lower grid-work 35. Cover 23 is then lowered and clamped, down tightly by means of links I32 and nuts I33, after which pneumatic bag '78 is inflated to a suitable pressure, which may vary with different conditions, but which in any case must be adjusted to apply the necessary downward pressure for the condi-- tions in hand. The inflated bag transmits downward pressure through fabric wall i1 and flexible plate 12 equally over the entire'flexible curtain 55, which accommodates itself to the contour of rectly over the longitudinal and transverse members of skeleton frame S and span the spaces.

between them, so that no pressure will be applied to the plywood where it is unsupported by the frame. Each heating barof the grid-work is pressed down by the pneumatic bag 18, acting through flexible curtain 55, accurately and uniformly along the plywood skin over the skeleton frame member directly below. Accommodation of the up er heating grid-work tothe curved 'contour of the airfoil is enhanhed by inherent natural flexibility of the grid-work, and by the flexible suspension of the grid-work through the hanger studs I04. Morepyer, the grid-work is capable of working to relieve strains, not only in the course of application under pressure to the airfoil, or other work, but also during heating, owing to the looseness of fit of all of the heating bars, excepting those over the central spar 26, on the supporting studs I04. The grid-work may thus be regarded as made up of flexible relatively movable heating elements, flexibly supported from the curtain 55, and capable, by virtue-of such flexibility and. capacity for relative movement, of nice accommodation to the 'contour of the work under the combined effects of heat and pressure.

of member I 20, and its lower portion is wrapped and fastened about a wooden strip 122,01 such cross-sectionalform as shown, and adapted to fill in the corner between the metal sheet 12 and the member Mil; This provision prevents the bag 18 from getting down around the edge of the trative embodiment of the invention, which may take various other forms or incorporate various changes in design, structure and arrangement all without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a gluing press, the combination of a sup- 2. In a gluing press, the combination of a sup-- port forthe article to be glued, heating means applicable over said article on said support, a curtain comprising a plurality of parallel slats secured in mutually spaced relation to a flexible sheet stretched over' said heating means, and

The upper heatinggrid-work being thus uni- The sheet M between the upper grid-work and the airfoil is of highly heat conductive metal, and

readily transmits the applied heat to the glued skin of the airfoil. Steam is permitted to escape I continuously from the passageways P of the upper and lower gridworks, as by means of the vents 95 indicated in Figs. 5 and 6. If desired, further steam vent passageways 95a may be provided in the upwardly projecting portion of the table along the rearward edge thereof (see Fig. 2), being placed in alinement with'the steam vents 95 in the lower steam bar 36. This per mits the steam discharged from vents 95 of rearward lower bar 36 into the relatively confined space at the rearward edge of the table to escape somewhat more readily. The heat and pressure having been applied for a suitable eriod, the steam supply is cut off, the press opened, and the glued airfoil removed. The press thus accomplishes simultaneous uniform application of heat and pressure, such as will rapidly set the glue, to both plywood skins of the airfoil, but restricted pneumatic means for exerting uniform pressure ,over the area of said curtain covering said heating means to press said heating means uniformly against said article.

3. In a gluing press, the combination of a support for the article to beglued, a flexible metal sheetadapted to be stretched over said article on said support and fastened to said support, heating means applicable against said flexible sheet, a flexible curtain' stretched over said heating means, and pneumatic means for exerting uniform pressure over the'area of said curtain covering said heating means to press said heating secured to a flexible sheet stretched over said heating means, and pneumatic means for exerting uniform pressure over the area of said curtain covering said heating means to press said heating means uniformly against the flexible metal sheet stretched over said article.

to the areas of theskins directly braced by the I skeleton frame S.

Fig. 14, whichis a view similar to Fig. 13, shows a modified-arrangement for protection of rubber bag s from flexibleplate 12 and curtain 55.

fili eigi which is attachedthe upper edge of a curtain l i l 'o'f fabric such as canvas. The curtain 2| hangs downwardly along the inner face 5. In a gluing press, the combination of a support for the article to be glued, heating means applicable over said article comprising a plurality of flexibly interconnected. heating bars conforming to the contour of the upper side of said article, a flexible curtain stretched over said heating bars comprising a plurality of articulated elements, and pneumatic means for exerting uniform pressure over the-area of said curtain covering said heating bars to press said bars uniformly against said article.

. 6. In a gluing press, the combination of a support for-the article to be glued, heating means applicable over said article comprising a flexiblegridwork of articulated heating bars conforming to the contour of the upper side of said article, a flexible curtain stretched over said heating bars comprising a plurality of articulated elements, and pneumatic means for exerting uniform pressure over the area of said curtain covering said heating bars to press said bars uniformly against said article.

7. In a gluing press, the combination of a support for the article to be glued, heating means applicable over said article comprising a plurality of flexibly interconnected heating bars conforming to the contour of the upper side of .said article, a flexible curtain stretched over said heating bars comprising a plurality of articulated elements, means flexibly supporting. .said heating bars from said flexible curtain, and pneumatic means for exerting uniform pressure over the area of said curtain covering said heating bars to press said bars uniformly against said article.

8. In a gluing press; the combination of a support for the article to be glued, heating means applicable over said article comprising a plurality of hollow, intercommunicating and flexibly interconnected steam bars conforming to the contour of the upper side of said article, a flexible curtain stretched over said steam bars comprising a plu-,

rality of articulated elements, and pneumatic means for exerting uniform pressure over the area of said curtain covering said heating bars to press said bars uniformly against said article.

9. ma gluing press, the combination of a support for the article to be g1ued,'heating means applicable over said. art'icle comprising a pmover the area of said flexible curtain covering said heating bars whereby said bars are pressed uniformly against said article by pressure transmitted through said articulated elements.

10. In a gluing press, the combination of a bottom support for the article to be glued, a flexible metal sheet stretched over said article to secure it firmly to said support, heating means applicable to said article through said metal sheet comprising a plurality of heating bars conformsaid skin exposed, a flexible metal sheet adapted to be stretched over said exposed skin of said article to secure the article in position, heating means applicable to the skin of said article through said flexible metal sheet comprising a plurality of heating bars conforming to the contour of said article and arranged to engage said flexiblemetal sheet only in positions corresponding to the locations of said supporting surfaces of said skeleton frame, a flexible curtain stretched over said heating bars comprising a plurality of articulated slats, and pneumatic means for exerting uniform pressure over the area of said curtain covering said heating bars to press said bars uniformly against said article through said flexible sheet stretched over said article.

13. In a press for a glued article comprising a skin applied on a skeleton frame that has a plurality of frame member providing supporting surfaces for said skin, the combination of means adapted to support said article with its said skin exposed, a flexible metal sheet adaptedto be stretched over said exposed skin of said article to secure the article in position, heating means applicable to the skin of said article through said flexible metal sheet comprising a plurality of heating bars conforming to the contour of said article and arranged to engage said flexible metal sheet only in positions corresponding-to the locations of said supporting surface of said skeleton frame, a flexible curtain stretched over said heating bars comprising a plurality of articulated slats, means supporting said heating bars from said curtain, and pneumatic means forexerting uniform pressure over the area of said curtain covering said heating bars to press saidbars uniformly against said flexible sheet stretched over said article.

14. In a press for azglued article comprising a skin applied over a skeleton frame that has a plurality of frame members providing supporting ing to the contour of the upper side of said article, a flexible curtain stretched over said heating bars comprising a plurality of articulated elei ments, and pneumatic means for exerting uniflexible curtain stretched over said heating bars comprising a plurality of mutually spaced, articulated slats, and pneumatic means for exerting uniform pressure over the area of said curtain covering said heating bars to press said bars uniformly against said article.

12. In a press for a glued article comprising a skin applied over a skeleton frame that has a plurality of frame members providing supporting surfaces for said skin, 't ml,01v means adapted to support said article with its surfaces for said skin, the combination of means adapted to support said article with its said skin exposed, a flexible metal sheet adapted to .be

- stretched over said exposed skin of said article to secure the article in position, heating means applicable to the skin of said article through said flexible metal sheet comprising a plurality of heating bars conforming to the contour of said article and arranged to engage said flexible metal sheet only in positions corresponding to the 10- cations of said supporting surfaces of said skeleton. frame, a cover member movable toward and from said article, a flexible curtain carried by said cover member over said last named heating bars and comprising a plurality of articulated elements engageable with said heating bars, said heating bars being applicable to said flexible sheet stretched over said article by movement of said cover member toward said article, and an in.-

flatable pneumatic bag enclosed within said cover adapted to exert uniform pressure over the area of said curtain covering said heating bars to press said bars uniformly against said sheet stretched over said article.

15. In a press for a glued article comprising a skin applied over a skeleton frame that has a plurality of frame members providing supporting urfaces forsaid skin, the combination of means adapted to support said article with its said skinexposed, a flexible metal sheet adapted to be stretched over said exposed skin of said article to secure the 'article'in position, heating means applicable to. the of said article through said flexible metal sheet comprising a plurality of heating bars conforming to the contour of said article and arranged to engag said flexible metal sheet only in positions corresponding to the locations of said supporting surfaces of said skeleton frame, a cover member movable toward and from said article, a flexible curtain carried by said cover member over said last named heating bars and comprising a plurality of articulated elements engageable with said heating bars, said heating bars being applicable to said flexible sheet stretched over said article by movement of said cover member toward said article, means supporting said heating bars from said curtain, and an inflatable pneumatic bag enclosed within said cover adapted to exert uniform pressure over the area of said curtain covering said heating bars to press said bars uniformly against said sheet stretched over said article.

16. In a press for a glued article comprising skins applied over opposite faces 01? a skeleton frame that has a plurality of frame members providing supporting surfaces for said skins, the combination of a support, heating means on said support comprising a plurality of heating bars conforming to the contour of one face of said article and arranged to engage the corresponding skin of said article in positions corresponding to the locations of the supporting surfaces of said skeleton frame for that skin, a flexible metal sheet adapted to be stretched over the other skin of said article positioned on said heating bars to secure the article in position thereon, heating means applicable to said other skin of said article through said flexible sheet comprising a plurality of heating bars conforming to the contour of the other face of said article and arranged to engage said flexible sheet only in positions corresponding to the locations of said supporting surfaces of said skeleton frame for said other skin, a cover member movable toward and from said article, a flexible curtain carried by said cover member over said last named heating barsand comprising a plurality of articulated elements engageable pneumatic bag enci support comprising a plurality of heating bars conforming to the contour of one face of said article and arranged to engage the corresponding skin of said article in positions corresponding to the locations of the supporting surfaces of said skeleton frame for that skin, a flexible metal sheet adapted to be stretched over the other skin of said article positioned on said heating bars to secure the article in position thereon, heating means applicable to said other skin of said article through said rlexi sheet comprising a plurality of heating bars conforming to the contour the other face of said article and arranged to engage said flexible sheet only positions corresponding to the locations of said supporting surfaces of said skeleton frame for said other skin, cover member movable toward and from sait. article, a flexible curtain carried by said cover member over said last named heating bars and comprising a plurality of articuiated elements engageable with said heating bars, said heating bars being applicable to said flexible sheet stretched over said article by movement of said cover member toward said article, means supporting said heating bars from said curtain, and an inflatable within said coveradapted to exert uniform pressure over the area of said curtain covering said heating bars to press said bars uniformly against said sheet stretched over said article.

18. in a gluing press, the combination of a relatively flexible heating means applicable over the article to be glued and adapted to conform to tne contour thereof, a curtain of parallel, mu-

tually spaced and individually movable slats over and applicable to said heating means, and means for applying a uniform pressure to said curtain withsaid heating bars, said heating bars being applicable to said flexible sheet stretched over said article by movementof, said cover member toward said article, and an inflatable pneumatic bag enclosed within said cover adapted to exert uniform pressure over the area of said curtain covering said heating bars to press said bars uniformly against said sheet stretched over said article.

17. In a press for a glued article comprising skins applied over opposite faces of a skeleton frame that has a plurality of frame members providing supporting surfaces for said skins, the combination of a support, heating means on said of slats 19. In a gluing press, the combination of a relatively flexible heating means applicable over the article to be glued and adapted to conform to the contour thereof, a curtain of parallel, mutually spaced and individually movable and tilta-ble slats over and applicable to said heating means, and means for applying a uniform pressure to said curtain of slats.

20. ha gluing press, the combination of a relatively flexible heating means applicable over the article to be glued and adapted to conform to the contour thereof, a curtain of parallel, mu-

, tually spaced and individually movable slats over and applicable to said heating means, means flexibly supporting said heating means from certain of said slats, and means for applying a uniform pressure to said curtain of slats.

a EDWARD J. KLASSEN. 

